Brain injuries make vets crack-up, who knew?

Erin Trieb/VII Mentor Program  

Check out this article on Traumatic Brain Injuries where "vets suffer from a particular kind of brain damage that results from repeated exposure to the concussive force of improvised explosive devices — I.E.D.’s — a regular event for troops traveling the roads in Iraq and Afghanistan." Is it a wonder that Veterans suffer myriad problems after leaving their service to our country and us. While most Vets assimilate into civilian life easily, there are Vets who suffer from mental illness, such as PTSD and depression, or must overcome an addiction to drugs or alcohol before integration can occur (1). It is estimated that about one-third of all homeless persons once wore a service uniform (2). Approximately 20% of the suicides which occur in the US every year are Vets (3). Additionally, according to estimates from Bureau of Justice Statistics, about 250,000 vets are incarcerated, 400,000 vets are on probation and 75,000 or more are on parole. The evidence is clear that some returning Veterans need additional help to become productive citizens after ending their military service (4).

Wage Peace!

1. http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/index.asp
2. http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/homelessness.asp
3. http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/05/26/1680716/concern-grows-over-epidemic-veteran.html
4. http://www.thecrimereport.org/archive/from-combat-to-lockdown